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Bill

billholmes

About Me

Bill Holmes is an artist who has dared to dream in the face of adversity while recognizing the divine nature of life and its infinite possibilities. As a respected poet, writer and author on the Philadelphia spoken word scene, Bill has touched many souls through his creative endeavors by striving towards excellence in everything he does. His performances have captivated many audiences through his unique style of humor, insight, spirituality, pride, and most importantly, love and appreciation of a woman. By no means is Bill afraid “to keep it real when expressing the importance of self-love.”Bill is the founder, the publisher and the CEO of Universal Expressions, LLC, a publishing company that allows artists the opportunity to achieve their aesthetic dreams. He is also the author of the chapbook Illuminations, the spoken word EP Asphyxiation, the full-length poetry book Straight From My Heart, and the spoken word CD, The Air I Breathe.Bill has been featured and has performed at various poetry venues in Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, and surrounding areas. Bill was the co-host of the monthly poetry series Poetic Ventures Writers Collective and has opened for artists such as the Last Poets and award-winning jazz musician Roy Ayers. His work has been published and featured in the Philadelphia Tribune, ESSENCE, the spoken word CD Urban Assault, and the anthology Mine Eyes Have Seen into the Millennium.In 2005, Bill completed writing his first fiction novel, One Love, a humorous story that examines the ups and downs of relationships, friendships, family and poetry. He also met Jessica Tilles, “best selling author, publisher, founder and CEO of Xpress Yourself Publishing, LLC,” who published Bill’s novel in 2006. This new literary project, like its poetic predecessors, is a powerful testimony of this passionate artist’s creed: “Every word I write is an extension of my breath, my heart and my soul that I want the world to share and to remember long after my life has come to an end.”

My Interests

Writing, exercise, swimming, reading, movies, travel, spirituality, shopping, dining at fine restaurants, and spending time with my family and friends.

Music:

Stevie Wonder, Jill Scott, Bob Marley, Vivian Green, Carol Riddick, Sade, Musiq Soulchild, Corrine Bailey Rae, Leela James, Earth, Wind & Fire, Deniece Williams, Eric B & Rakim, LL Cool J, Teena Marie, Carly Simon, Donna Summer, Prince (pre symbol) and Janet Jackson (pre wardrobe malfunction).

Movies:

The Color Purple, The Empire Strikes Back, Friday, Finding Forrester, The Pursuit of Happyness, Akeelah and the Bee, Soul Food, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, The Best Man, Brown Sugar, Pulp Fiction, Resevior Dogs, Crash, Batman Begins, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Executive Decision, Death Becomes Her, all Spike Lee joints, Spider Man 1 and 2

Television:

A Different World (Seasons 2 to 4), Sex and the City, Grey's Anatomy, Celebrity Fit Club series, Justice League Unlimited, The Twilight Zone (original), Good Times (Seasons 1 to 3 and 5), Living Single, The Shield, Being Bobby Brown, Behind the Music, The Avengers (Steed and Mrs. Peel), ER

Books:

The Bible, Assata: An Autobiography, Kindred, The Miseducation of the Negro, The Pact, The Art of War, The Art of Peace, Disappearing Acts, Krik? Krak!, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, The Color Purple, Homegirls and Handgrenades, Parable of the Sower, Parable of the Talents, 4 Guys and Trouble, Friends and Lovers, Between Lovers, Until, and all novels by Tracy Price Thompson and Diane McKinney-Whetstone.

Heroes:

My parents, my grandmother Mazie Jones, Malcolm X, Assata Shakur, Christopher Gardner,

My Blog

Never Say Never

The past few weeks have been so therapeutic for me to have a moment to catch my breath. I've enjoyed the past three weekends of not having to do any book signings, but all is about to change when I hi...
Posted by Bill on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 04:10:00 PST

Patience

I originally wrote this poem five years ago, but revised it several months ago for submission to the Step Up To The Mic anthology published by Xpress Yourself Publishing this Fall. Although I'm not a ...
Posted by Bill on Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:33:00 PST

Amaze Yourself

Jump right out into life and make your own special splash. Forget about what conventional wisdom says, or what is normal or comfortable, and listen to your passion.One of the worst things you can do i...
Posted by Bill on Wed, 19 Sep 2007 07:49:00 PST

Write Here! Write Now!

Look carefully and thoughtfully at the things that frustrate you. In each of them you will find real and workable ideas for positive growth.Frustration occurs when you realize, sometimes painfully, th...
Posted by Bill on Sun, 16 Sep 2007 07:35:00 PST

Everything Can Change

"In a New York MinuteEverything can changeIn a New York MinuteThings can get pretty strangeIn a New York MinuteEverything can changeIn a New York MinuteAnd in these daysWhen darkness falls earlyAnd pe...
Posted by Bill on Fri, 10 Aug 2007 06:40:00 PST

Create Excellence

Excellence is not itself a skill. Excellence is an attitude that greatly multiplies the value of all the skills you have.Excellence is certainly within your reach. All you have to do is make a firm co...
Posted by Bill on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 05:16:00 PST

Entry for 30 July 2007

The following is an entry from my personal journal I composed yesterday morning. It's been a minute since I've written something new in my blog, but I wanted to share my thoughts with you. As I typed ...
Posted by Bill on Tue, 31 Jul 2007 05:15:00 PST

Real Men Do Cry

Happy Father's Day to all the dads holding it down and making a positive difference in their families' lives. Here is my poem Real Men Do Cry written about my relationship with my father. Hope you enj...
Posted by Bill on Sun, 17 Jun 2007 06:49:00 PST

One Love Makes The ESSENCE Best Sellers List

Family,Hope all is well with you this evening. I pray this message finds you in excellent spirits. As for myself, all is well and I am feeling wonderful. I'm enjoying the few hours left in this lovely...
Posted by Bill on Mon, 11 Jun 2007 04:59:00 PST

SACRED Reunion

"If love is eternal then I love you infinity. Hearts knowing not what minds speak...speak to me. Peace!"The above quote was written by my dear friend and sister from Brooklyn, Tantra, one of my favori...
Posted by Bill on Sat, 19 May 2007 10:00:00 PST